Allegiant
Chapter Thirty-Six
by Roth, VeronicaThe chapter opens with Tris returning to the compound in the snow, reflecting on her discomfort with carrying a gun and the stark contrast between the Bureau’s pristine environment and the harsh conditions of the fringe. She notices the cleanliness of the compound, which unsettles her after witnessing the struggles of those outside. Upon entering the dormitory, she finds only Peter and Caleb, the latter engrossed in their mother’s journal. Their strained interaction highlights the unresolved tension between them, though a brief moment of humor about Caleb’s bruised nose offers a glimmer of connection.
Caleb informs Tris about recent upheavals in the city, where the Allegiant, led by Johanna Reyes and Marcus Eaton, have attacked Evelyn’s weapons storehouse. Tris feels detached from the conflict, as most of her loved ones are now at the compound. The news disturbs her, but she acknowledges the inevitability of the uprising. Their conversation lapses into silence, underscoring the emotional distance between them. Tris then follows Caleb’s directions to the genealogy room, where she finds Tobias studying his family tree with a distant expression.
In the genealogy room, Tris observes Tobias’s quiet desperation as he traces his family lineage, recognizing the internal conflict he faces between his desire for connection and his resentment toward his past. She reflects on her own failure to see his pain and the complexity of his emotions. Drawing from her mother’s wisdom about recognizing evil in everyone, Tris realizes the need for mutual forgiveness and understanding in their relationship. This moment of introspection shifts her perspective on their struggles.
Tris approaches Tobias, who greets her with a guarded expression. She admits that forgiveness isn’t the central issue but rather whether they are still good for each other. Reflecting on Amar’s advice about relationships, she acknowledges the inevitability of repeated forgiveness in any partnership. The chapter ends with Tris poised to address the deeper question of their compatibility, leaving their future together uncertain but framed by a newfound clarity about the nature of love and resilience.
FAQs
1. How does Tris’s perception of the compound change after visiting the fringe, and what does this reveal about her character development?
Answer:
After returning from the fringe, Tris notices the compound appears cleaner than ever, which unsettles her because she contrasts it with the poverty she witnessed outside. The chapter states: “How can I walk these squeaky floors and wear these starchy clothes when I know that those people are out there, wrapping their houses in tarp to stay warm?” This reveals her growing social awareness and guilt over privilege. However, the discomfort fades quickly, showing how easily humans adapt to comfort—a nuanced reflection on moral complacency. Tris’s momentary unease demonstrates her capacity for empathy but also highlights the challenge of sustaining moral outrage.2. Analyze the significance of the interaction between Tris and Caleb in this chapter. How does it reflect their fractured relationship and potential for reconciliation?
Answer:
The stilted conversation between Tris and Caleb reveals both lingering tension and tentative steps toward healing. Caleb’s joke about his bruised nose (“brings out my eyes”) shows his attempt to ease the tension with humor, while Tris’s awkward inquiry about his injury demonstrates residual concern. The chapter notes: “Neither option makes me feel good,” indicating Tris’s internal conflict—she neither wants Caleb to fear her nor to give up on their relationship. Their simultaneous withdrawal (“walk away from each other at the same time”) symbolizes the emotional impasse. The interaction suggests reconciliation will require time and mutual effort, as neither knows “what to do from here.”3. What does Tris’s realization about Tobias’s “schism inside his heart” reveal about her evolving understanding of love and forgiveness?
Answer:
Observing Tobias’s fixation on his family tree, Tris recognizes his dual nature: both strong and broken, hateful of his past yet craving parental love. This epiphany connects to her mother’s journal (referenced earlier in the chapter): “The first step to loving someone else is to recognize that evil in ourselves, so we can forgive them.” Tris realizes love isn’t about conditional forgiveness but continuous mutual acceptance of flaws (“forgive you over and over again”). Her shift from judging Tobias’s desperation to empathizing with his pain marks emotional maturity—she now sees relationships as dynamic processes rather than tests of worthiness.4. How does the chapter use contrasting settings (snow/fringe vs. compound/genealogy room) to underscore its themes?
Answer:
The opening snow imagery (“powdered sugar” flakes) creates a deceptive tranquility that contrasts with the harsh realities of the fringe (tarps for warmth). This physical dichotomy mirrors Tris’s internal conflict between comfort and justice. Later, the sterile compound versus the “sunset”-like genealogy room highlights another divide: cold modernity versus warm human connections. The bronze-walled genealogy room, where Tobias seeks roots, becomes a symbolic space for emotional reckoning. These contrasts emphasize the novel’s central tension between outward appearances and hidden complexities—both in environments and relationships.5. Evaluate how the offhand mention of the Chicago uprising (“Allegiant attacked a storehouse”) serves the chapter’s narrative purpose.
Answer:
The brief update about Johanna and Marcus leading an attack serves three key purposes: (1) It reminds readers of the unresolved chaos in Chicago, creating narrative tension despite Tris’s physical distance. (2) Tris’s detached reaction (“I feel detached from it”) contrasts with her earlier activism, showing how her priorities have shifted to personal relationships. (3) It foreshadows future conflict—the Bureau’s disturbance suggests the uprising may escalate, potentially forcing characters to reengage. This economical worldbuilding detail maintains the larger plot’s momentum while keeping the chapter focused on Tris’s emotional journey.
Quotes
1. “I’m uncomfortable holding [the gun] now, and I used to think that my discomfort would go away with time, but now I’m not so sure. Maybe it never will, and maybe that’s all right.”
This quote captures Tris’s evolving relationship with violence and her growing self-awareness. It shows her acceptance that some moral discomforts may persist rather than being resolved—a mature realization about personal growth.
2. “How can I walk these squeaky floors and wear these starchy clothes when I know that those people are out there, wrapping their houses in tarp to stay warm?”
This moment highlights the stark contrast between the Bureau’s privilege and the fringe’s poverty, illustrating Tris’s developing social consciousness and guilt about inequality—a key theme in the chapter.
3. “I don’t know how it would feel, to hate your own history and to crave love from the people who gave that history to you at the same time.”
Tris’s reflection on Tobias’s inner conflict beautifully articulates the central tension in his character—the push-pull of familial love and resentment. This insight marks a turning point in her understanding of him.
4. “If we stay together, I’ll have to forgive you over and over again, and if you’re still in this, you’ll have to forgive me over and over again too… What I really should have been trying to figure out is whether we were still good for each other or not.”
This powerful statement reframes Tris’s approach to relationships, moving beyond transactional forgiveness to consider ongoing compatibility. It represents the chapter’s emotional climax and a mature evolution in her thinking about love.